A Village Where Time Stands Still: Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon

Located in the southwest of South Korea, the historic 59,504㎡ Naganeupseong Folk Village  (낙안읍성) of Suncheon is notable for its beautifully conserved cultural landscape and traditional lifestyle stemming from the Joseon Dynasty which existed from 1392 to 1910. The former administrative town has successfully preserved its fortress, a clutter of traditional houses and government quarters.

A Village Where Time Stands Still: Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon

The village of Naganeupseong was built on a level field encircled by hills and mountains. As it was an administrative core, the area was equipped with both public and private facilities that were used by the authorities to govern the Nagan-eup county as well as for villagers for cultural activities and rites such as musical performances and important communal rituals.

It was estimated that in the past, there were 96 town fortresses known as eupsong across 334 villages in this region. However, most of them were destroyed during the Japanese colonisation between 1910 to 1945. Naganeupseong is one of the only few villages of its kind to survive the destruction and has the best preservation of its original landscape and properties.

The fortress walls protecting Naganeupseong were built using square stones that are approximately 4 metres in height and width that filled a total length of 1,410 metres around the town. Within the south, east and west part of the fortress, there are 98 families still staying there today. Many ancient rituals have been passed down till this day including a recurring annual ritual that is held during the first full moon of every new year to honor and celebrate the respected General Im Kyeong-eop - a prominent Korean general during the Joseon Dynasty who fought against the Manchurian invasions in the 17th century.

The Fortress Town of Naganeupseong in Suncheon

The beautiful and well-preserved houses built during the Joseon Dynasty at Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon

Every house in Naganeupseong is thatch-roofed, making it the only fortress village with such architecture.

At the entrance to Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon

An administrative building at the Naganeupseong Folk Village

Daily Programs, Activities & Performances for Visitors at the Naganeupseong Folk Village

Curious travellers visiting the Naganeupseong Folk Village can participate in a series of experience programs on any day of the week, including:

Gayageum Music Performance, Tea Ceremony, Blacksmith’s Workshop, Silk-farming, Seodang (village school) Experience, Ugwi (Traditional Wedding) Parade, Funeral Rite, International and Traditional Customs, Folk Movie Theater, Filming Site of Daejanggeum, Natural Dyeing Experience, Weaving, Traditional Musical Instrument Experience, Wish-paper and postcard writing, Straw and Hanji (Korean Traditional Paper) Making, Fishing, Tofu and Fermented Soybean Lump.

*There could be a participation fee for selected programs. Please call prior to your visit to learn about which program is available for the day.

Traditional singing and musical performances at the Naganeupseong Folk Village

You can rent a Hanbok - a traditional Korean dress for photography around Naganeupseong

Kids in their rented Hanbok posing for a photograph at the Naganeupseong fortress

You can learn pottery at Naganeupseong or just buy ready made ones!

Fun Facts about the Naganeupseong Folk Village

1. Today, it is home to 228 inhabitants across 98 households.
2. Every house in Naganeupseong is thatch-roofed, making it the only fortress village with such architecture.
3. The site showcases 10 national cultural heritages and 15 provincial cultural heritages.
4. Registered in the tentative list of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on March 11, 2011.
5. Also known as the Historical site No. 302.

How to Go to Naganeupseong Folk Village

If you are coming from the Suncheon Train Station, take bus number 68 or 16 from the bus stop on the same side as the train station. Alternatively, you can walk to Bus Stop #2 (순처역시측) located opposite the train station to take bus number 63 or 61 in order to get to the Naganeupseong Folk Village. The journey will take approximately one hour.

If you are coming from the Suncheon Bus Terminal, look out for bus number 16, 61, 63 or 68. The journey will take approximately one hour.

If you are starting your journey from other places, simply look out for 낙안읍성 on the route of the public buses to see if Naganeupseong Folk Village is on the way! (I usually just ask the driver directly!)

Opening Hours of Naganeupseong Folk Village

January, November & December: 9.00am-5.30pm
February, March, April & October: 9.00am-6.00pm
May, June, July, August & September: 8.30am-6.30pm

Ticket Price for Naganeupseong Folk Village

For Naganeupseong Folk Village only
Adult 4,000 won
Child 1,400 won

For Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheonman National Garden, Suncheonman Wetland, Recreational Forest & Deep-Rooted Tree Museum
Adult 12,000 won
Child 5,500 won

The juicy and nutty Beondegi - silkworm pupae stewed in soy sauce sold as snacks at Naganeupseong

Chapssal-tteok or glutinous rice balls coated with crushed peanuts sold by a vendor at the Naganeupseong Folk Village

A Village Where Time Stands Still: Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon

Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon

The fortress of Naganeupseong

Every house in Naganeupseong is thatch-roofed, making it the only fortress village with such architecture.

Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon
513-25 Suncheonman-gil, Dosa-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
For more information, click here.
Phone: +82 61-749-6052

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